Still better than Southwest.

Turn right at Starbucks. Then left at Starbucks. Then another left at Starbucks. And you’re there - right next to Starbucks.

Generally, I agree with what you’re saying (what automaker HASN’T had launch problems, even after decades of focus on quality) but specifically, I think most legacy automakers have a lot more depth of resources in terms of engineering and feet-on-the-ground assembly experience. It comes with time, more often than not.

Had a 2004 Liberty and can say it did everything I ever asked it to without ever putting a foot wrong. In nearly 200K miles, it only needed front ball joints (bad design, and often fixed under warranty), the little wire prongs restuck to the rear glass defroster and (at around 185K) a new radiator. The thing ran…

Which model Fiat? I just scored an early 68 850 Spider, as in the one that shares the headlight glass with the Miura.

Technically, that’s still a Champion coupe. The Hawk was a different car, though obviously related. And Loewy made the Starliner just plain gorgeous, so the Packardbaker was especially egregious.

Not uglier than any modern Bugatti. Not uglier than any Pagani. Not uglier than a whole lot of modern stuff. Not uglier than a lot of vintage stuff. I mean, really - a Packard Hawk was a whole lot more ugly and similar era. No, the ‘catfish’ look was not invented in the 21st century, folks.

But you know why Old Lancia became New Lancia? Because people are stupid and wouldn’t buy cars for their superb engineering, driving dynamics and sheer emotional worth. They bought them so they could go places without notifying their mechanic ahead of time they wished to motor so please prepare the automobile.

Since I’ve always had odd cars in my garage, and most of them came with issues, I trained myself to get specific part numbers or research in advance parts that would fit but were from more mainstream vehicles.

I have only similar experience to share.

Here’s note to Lexus/Toyota design: if Virgil Exner can’t succeed with a design element, you have no chance in hell at pulling it off.

My LR4 occasionally doesn’t load the infotainment software correctly, so I have to restart it (e.g. the engine) in order to get SiriusXM working. Yes, it’s more frequent in cold weather. No, I don’t care.

It was unreal. As someone who actually test drove one when new, the cowl shake was awe inspiring.

Did you forget the convertible version? Hey, no worries - everyone else did.

They should have included a Land Rover LR4 in that testing. Anything other than Chevron or Shell premium and I get a Check Engine light. She’s a picky bitch.

Let’s be clear: the VW scene mentioned is water-cooled. ACVW is a whole different ball game. And yes, they look down on water-cooled very much indeed.

Yup. You totally get it. Why they don’t is beyond me.

I guess I’m sort of glad I missed this, as I can only tell you about the meetup where I lost my faith and left air-cooled VWs (apparently) forever.

Didn’t GM have a nifty centralized, vacuum assist trash disposal system back in the day?

She’s up for spokesperson for Coach. You know, they’re both about “all weather leather”.